grommile
nasty-minded old cynic
- Location
- NERV-Mercia
- Pronouns
- Traditional/Animate
you only need two published continuities for thatNow I'm kinda wondering if there's enough versions of Sailor Moon to do a 'Crisis on Infinite Crystal Tokyo'.
To the Stars! A Sailor Moon Let's Watch
- Thread starter Usili 2.0
- Start date
- TV
DeadlyViperQuill
oliversimpsonuk@yahoo.co.uk
- Location
- england
Now I'm kinda wondering if there's enough versions of Sailor Moon to do a 'Crisis on Infinite Crystal Tokyo'.
Now that would certainly be a treat, i can picture it like the teenage ninja turtle crossover they did between the 80's series and the 00 one. One Usagi is a lot, but three together. Tokyo will be overwhelmed.
- Location
- Ohio
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I remember this episode mostly because of the DIC version of the song Oh Starry Night.
(full version)
Who doesn't love Rei, everyone has the hots for her.
Part of Rei perfectionist personality is her pride in my opinion.
The DIC title for next episode is and I kidd you not... Food Fetish.
Yeah, it was a good episode, and Ail and An being in the fashion show was something quite surprising, but fit the humorous tone that Sailor Moon does go for.I actually own the CD the video right below this uses for a cover image.
Anyway, yeah. Good episode. I loved Ail and An in the fashion show.
The... dub version of the song is interesting, albeit it doesn't have the same kind of punch/feeling imho.
Oh yes, agreed that this episode was a lot better than the last two.I enjoyed this episode a lot more than the previous two. I like Rei when she's showing her ambitious perfectionist side rather than being like Usagi but Tsundere about it.
Again, thank you for the posts in regards to the reviews of it! They are rather interesting and go to other aspects that I wouldn't necessarily have thought of or necessarily have knowledge of as a first-time watcher of Sailor Moon.
Rei is, of anything probably one of the most interesting characters, especially in terms of how she is in some ways meant as an explicit foil to Usagi (whereas say w/ the Usagi/Ami/Mako trio could be said to represent the id, ego, superego aspect for the three of them). But, how she is presented in the manga from the description is rather interesting in some ways representing that of a drastically different character. To be honest, I do feel that considering from what I understand in that there was a lot less 'space' between when the characters were introduced in the manga versus the anime, having Rei present as a foil of Usagi is something of a rather smart decision, and one that did work wonders especially in terms of the Usagi/Ami/Rei relationship that was there. So yes, I do agree with you in that I feel that was in part the decision done there because of it. Having Rei present as someone "being a lot more stoic, quiet, conservative" to quote you is something I do feel that would've been an issue at least in terms of trying to build up the kind of existing connections between the three of them imho.
And yeah, this episode does go to show Rei at another place outside of just interactions with the rest of the Guardians or with her grandfather and Yuichiro, and just the kind of the significant differences there are absolutely interesting as you described.
Also, I do agree in that this episode was a great example in so far that you have seen the kind of switches between the humor and villainy of Ail and An.
Further, I do think so far that this episode does rank pretty close to the top of those I have watched for the arc as a whole so far, since it just nails a lot of the stuff I feel.
Episode 55: Is Seijuro the Moonlight Knight? Mako On Fire
- Location
- Ohio
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Woo, getting back into the jive of things.
Is Seijuro the Moonlight Knight? Mako On Fire
This episode begins with a montage of shots of the Moonlight Knight, to which we then just have a voice-over of Mako saying his name, before Ami goes to say in how he's a mystery on how he consistently appears and then goes to wonder on who he is. There is then a wonderful bit on how Mako goes to say he was like the person who broke her heart. Mako. Stop comparing everyone to him. But before that can be continued, we have Umino appear to deliver a lunch for Naru, with her frustration on it being shrimp again. This just naturally leads into Mako saying she has not made a lunch for anyone in a long time, which is very much based around the romantic aspect, considering Ami's commentary on noticing how often people make lunch for their girlfriends or boyfriends. Also... what is with that girl having what appears to be a Usagi keychain?
Meanwhile, Usagi rushes out of her house late once again, with Luna running behind her toting her lunch (of which Usagi is entirely unaware)… which results in her dropping it and knocking herself out when trying to grab it. At school, Usagi is just once more lectured by Miss Haruna for being late and sleeping in class, but then just gets sent off to eat lunch… which she does not have whatsoever. Poor Usagi. And wait, Usagi, you didn't even eat breakfast? Also, Miss Haruna stop being jealous.
Outside, Usagi is just craving the lunch that Umino made for Naru, and knows she'd look like a total loser if she jumped in there for food. But then she hits upon a great idea! Go find Mako, as she surely has lunch! And then she runs in exactly the opposite direction that Mako and Ami are coming from… who are both looking for Usagi. This is turning out to be a fair bit of a 'comedy of errors' so far.
But… the flute of Ail starts playing, as both Ami and Mako go to investigate it. There, Ail is just surrounded by lots of girls holding lunches as Ami goes to tease Mako about him reminding her of the person who broke her heart… but, he does play music like her ex! This just sends Ami into shambles before she suddenly goes back to focus on how Ail appeared at the school the same time as the Moonlight Knight appeared… this just then goes to send Mako's heart racing.
As Ail goes to leave, having stated he doesn't leave lunch, Mako has a new mission! She will be the person to go and investigate Ail to see if he is the Moonlight Knight (and to also make him her boyfriend). The way the animation does with the pose, combined with Ami's calling of her name and then the "Oh…" which is just an impending sign of doom is absolutely amazing. But this is merely expanded upon her, as Mako gives Ami a pat on the back… that sends her shoe off literally as it's now on for Mako.
Ail however is then just being chased by the horde of girls, which is… it's kind of amazing, especially in terms of the posture he has on like 'why is this happening to me' before he manages to jump atop the roof. Mako, behind the rest of the girls is suddenly wondering how he got up there and then does just suddenly leap to wonder if he really is the Moonlight Knight. He once more begins playing the same series of notes on the roof, and then just goes to wonder why they all want him to eat the homemade lunches… upon which Mako answers, it's because they like him.
Back with Ami, she's meanwhile working on a school computer, that is somehow running a recognition program to identify a match between the Moonlight Knight and Ail which only showcases a .2% match. As that is happening, Usagi busts in having finally found Ami and then goes to see her lunch… only to see it's empty. Usagi is just utterly in despair at there not being food and then just goes to collapse on Ami.
Ail meanwhile is just… utterly confused by the octopus (as a side-note, what is with like, octopuses in Japanese school meals from what I've noticed in like uh, anime/manga as being a kind of omnipresent thing?) as part of the lunch. Mako then just goes to in essence reveal the whole ballgame on if he's the Moonlight Knight while Ail is just utterly puzzled by the octopus, and entirely focusing on that. When he says he does like it, Mako then just goes to throw the whole damned lunch at him to eat, as An watches from the door in anger at what he's doing.
Mako then goes to talk a bit about lunches and how she used to make lunches for the boyfriend who dumped her, but apologizes for it. Ail however then just continues his seeming non-understanding of everything as he just goes to ask why do you make a lunch for someone you like. Mako just answers that girls at times do things like it to express things they care about, and then in how she says "sometimes, girls would even give up their lives for love," and that element just in a sense hurts as it imho goes to serve as a reinforcement of what happened at the finale of the first season I feel?
But then in comes An to go and say to not eat unusual lunches with a vicious "because they might get you sick." I just love Mako's angry reaction at it, while Ail is just eating the lunch, and then suddenly the aspect about the brother comes off, which just sets him choking and the both of them just engaging in a vicious staring fight.
After the commercial break, Usagi is again lectured at by Miss Haruna over having slept again in the afternoon and just told to go home. Usagi is just utterly drained of energy from having not eaten anything, as Ami is just sitting there waiting by the gate. But then in comes Luna with her lunch, and Usagi just goes to cradle the never eaten lunch.
Then back with the Ail and An show, An is just utterly pissed at Ail for eating human food, especially after all the time that has been spent together on taking energy from the Makai tree (which… does raise an interesting point in my head I'll mention after the episode). But before Ail can defend himself further, Mako goes to appear and asks if he wants to walk home together. Mako, how and why are you like this. :x An is needless to say still utterly pissed over it.
Both Mako and Ail have then arrived at some kind of playground, where Mako is just trying to get the words to speak for him while Ail is just privately thinking over how furious she might be. Ail then goes to ask Mako on the logic of like->lunch for people, as Mako just breaks out laughing. An is meanwhile furious over it and transforms.
Usagi is meanwhile outraged over the fact of Mako going on a date with Ail, while just utterly devouring her lunch. She is meanwhile utterly adamant that there is nothing connection-wise for them, and then just finishes lunch and goes to race off to see if it is in fact a date or not. Meanwhile while this is all happening, Luna is just atop Ami's head.
Back with the Mako and Ail show, Ail just is utterly confused by how you give love and lunches to people? Instead Ail says it should be taken for yourself, and Mako just seems unable to understand it. And then in comes An to cause problems, attacking the both of them and also stomping upon the lunchbox, while saying that Mako has no right to lecture anyone on love. I feel it was upon An's smashing of Mako's lunchbox, that she has incurred Mako's permanent hatred. Usagi, Ami, and Luna arrive on the scene as Usagi goes to transform to face off against the Cardians.
Mako is just seeming utterly pissed about her lunchbox being wrecked, and calling An a witch, but then in comes Usagi atop… something else in the playground (of which I forget the name). I just love how Ail is pissed at Sailor Moon calling her a pest, but then before Usagi can finish her motto, in comes Ail to attack. It's… I'm going to discuss this after the episode for my thoughts as a whole on then when Ail appears and then gives a kiss to An, but then in comes the Cardian to cause issues.
After Ami checks up on Mako, she then herself goes to transform as the Cardian then… does some kind of weird seaweed based attack? But then both Ami and Usagi get bundled into a sushi roll and thrown atop a fountain as Moonlight Knight comes to help Mako from breaking out of the container, as he goes to talk about love and courage and such. And then comes Mako's powerup as 'Supreme Thunder Dragon' which is just utterly amazing and stops the Cardian… as both Minako and Rei come to appear to help as well. Minako moves to halt Ail and An, as Rei goes to free both Ami and Usagi with a helping host of fire… kind of burning them a bit crispy, as Usagi then goes to defeat the Cardian.
As they all stand there after the defeat of the Cardian and both Ail and An running off, the Moonlight Knight goes to congratulate them. His only answer is he'll answer it one day before leaving. Mako however states that since he knows the true answer about love, he's obviously not Ail, before they all collapse when they say Moonlight Knight is a lot like her old boyfriend.
Back at the Ail and An residence, Ail has… attempted to make a lunch for An, to which she is quite happy over… but then doesn't have any idea what to do with it as the episode comes to a close.
Now comes the time to talk about the last of the power-up episodes, "Is Seijuro the Moonlight Knight? Mako on Fire". The main plot of this episode is something very interesting in how it sort of to a similar extent as with "For Whom is the White Rose? The Moonlight Knight Appears" focuses on the trio of Usagi, Ami, and Mako as the 'key figures' for the episode, albeit in terms of different directions. It opens up with the main goal of Ami and Mako wanting to know who the Moonlight Knight is, and the both of them then… devising methods to figure out who he is, Ami by using the computer, and then Mako by trying to get close to Ail to see if he is the Moonlight Knight (and someone she can date). Meanwhile, as Mako is romantically pursuing Ail (and An is getting even more pissed at it), Usagi is just dying of hunger and striving for food somewhere. All in all, the plot of this episode was another really good one for the character who is getting a power up, and I don't really have much to say explicitly on the plot as I feel it hit the targets I was hoping it did.
One of the interesting bits of this episode was how the episode played with Mako, Ami, and Usagi. In some extents, it felt like a significant narrative focus on the three of them as they went to solely do what they had meant to do in the course of the episode. Both Mako and Ami for instance, each moved to go and find out the Moonlight Knight was, but in entirely separate directions as the episode began. Mako upon seeing Ail and remembering how much he reminded her of her former boyfriend decided to go and romantically pursue him by seeing if he was in fact the Moonlight Knight so as to date him. Ami on the other hand decided to go and investigate using the power of technology to go and determine if Ail and the Moonlight Knight matched, which they didn't. Meanwhile unlike both Mako and Ami, Usagi found herself devoted on the need to get any kind of food when she forgot her lunch, only for that to be resolved by Luna. It was of anything, something of a really interesting aspect I felt for this episode since it did work to highlight the three of them in terms of their individual characters and some of their defining traits.
So, an interesting thought that came to mind after watching this episode was the question of the energy consumption for Ail and An and how it worked exactly. Like, it's kind of clear that their life-force is sustained from the energy gathered by the Makai tree, but can they sustain themselves off of in this case, human food? It's something that made me a bit puzzled on and thinking on after the episode, especially in terms of An wondering what to do with the lunch that was made by Ail. It's probably not the case, but it's something I had to mention as something I was stewing on.
What was interesting for the episode was how Ail viewed love. It came up in the context of Ail's confusion of liking someone and giving lunches to people, and Mako's answer on it. He explicitly said that "Love should be something you simply reach out and take for yourself!" It's something that is utterly interesting, especially in how he doesn't understand whatsoever about love. It's something I am thinking that is going to be touched on further considering that love is just such an omnipresent element of Sailor Moon. It's also like, something that is just kind of interesting if it something that is just tied with up the species Ail and An are or just something else.
In all, this episode was another good one, putting the power-up episodes at a three to two ranking of good to bad, with Usagi's, Rei's, and Mako's all being good, and the other two just being like… eh/bad. The aspect of a 'Supreme Thunder Dragon' for Mako is something that does fit, and it is kind of interesting in that considering both Rei and Mako had new animal-themed powerups, in that both of their episodes were good and if that is correlated. One thing I did enjoy with this episode was like, again with the well... how do I phrase this, the questions/concern on how An and Ail well, consider each other despite being said to be 'siblings' publicly. It's an interesting aspect, especially with how jealous/angry that An gets over Mako. Also this episode had some imho v. good animation for the kind of reactions and depictions that were happening (such as the Ami-Mako thing upon Mako's discussion to go after Ail and then Usagi fainting from hunger). Also, I am going to officially make my prediction for Moonlight Knight, and it's going to be like, something tied up around Mamoru's memories especially considering his seemingly lack of memories returning and if that might be the reason. It's hmm, I am honestly not sure how else this arc is going to lead on or resolve itself, and is something of a bit of a puzzle for myself. Here's to seeing how the rest of the like, Ail and An arc will resolve itself!
Is Seijuro the Moonlight Knight? Mako On Fire
This episode begins with a montage of shots of the Moonlight Knight, to which we then just have a voice-over of Mako saying his name, before Ami goes to say in how he's a mystery on how he consistently appears and then goes to wonder on who he is. There is then a wonderful bit on how Mako goes to say he was like the person who broke her heart. Mako. Stop comparing everyone to him. But before that can be continued, we have Umino appear to deliver a lunch for Naru, with her frustration on it being shrimp again. This just naturally leads into Mako saying she has not made a lunch for anyone in a long time, which is very much based around the romantic aspect, considering Ami's commentary on noticing how often people make lunch for their girlfriends or boyfriends. Also... what is with that girl having what appears to be a Usagi keychain?
Meanwhile, Usagi rushes out of her house late once again, with Luna running behind her toting her lunch (of which Usagi is entirely unaware)… which results in her dropping it and knocking herself out when trying to grab it. At school, Usagi is just once more lectured by Miss Haruna for being late and sleeping in class, but then just gets sent off to eat lunch… which she does not have whatsoever.
Poor Usagi. And wait, Usagi, you didn't even eat breakfast? Also, Miss Haruna stop being jealous.
Outside, Usagi is just craving the lunch that Umino made for Naru, and knows she'd look like a total loser if she jumped in there for food. But then she hits upon a great idea! Go find Mako, as she surely has lunch! And then she runs in exactly the opposite direction that Mako and Ami are coming from… who are both looking for Usagi. This is turning out to be a fair bit of a 'comedy of errors' so far.
But… the flute of Ail starts playing, as both Ami and Mako go to investigate it. There, Ail is just surrounded by lots of girls holding lunches as Ami goes to tease Mako about him reminding her of the person who broke her heart… but, he does play music like her ex! This just sends Ami into shambles before she suddenly goes back to focus on how Ail appeared at the school the same time as the Moonlight Knight appeared… this just then goes to send Mako's heart racing.
As Ail goes to leave, having stated he doesn't leave lunch, Mako has a new mission! She will be the person to go and investigate Ail to see if he is the Moonlight Knight (and to also make him her boyfriend). The way the animation does with the pose, combined with Ami's calling of her name and then the "Oh…" which is just an impending sign of doom is absolutely amazing. But this is merely expanded upon her, as Mako gives Ami a pat on the back… that sends her shoe off literally as it's now on for Mako.
Ail however is then just being chased by the horde of girls, which is… it's kind of amazing, especially in terms of the posture he has on like 'why is this happening to me' before he manages to jump atop the roof. Mako, behind the rest of the girls is suddenly wondering how he got up there and then does just suddenly leap to wonder if he really is the Moonlight Knight. He once more begins playing the same series of notes on the roof, and then just goes to wonder why they all want him to eat the homemade lunches… upon which Mako answers, it's because they like him.
Back with Ami, she's meanwhile working on a school computer, that is somehow running a recognition program to identify a match between the Moonlight Knight and Ail which only showcases a .2% match. As that is happening, Usagi busts in having finally found Ami and then goes to see her lunch… only to see it's empty. Usagi is just utterly in despair at there not being food and then just goes to collapse on Ami.
Ail meanwhile is just… utterly confused by the octopus (as a side-note, what is with like, octopuses in Japanese school meals from what I've noticed in like uh, anime/manga as being a kind of omnipresent thing?) as part of the lunch. Mako then just goes to in essence reveal the whole ballgame on if he's the Moonlight Knight while Ail is just utterly puzzled by the octopus, and entirely focusing on that. When he says he does like it, Mako then just goes to throw the whole damned lunch at him to eat, as An watches from the door in anger at what he's doing.
Mako then goes to talk a bit about lunches and how she used to make lunches for the boyfriend who dumped her, but apologizes for it. Ail however then just continues his seeming non-understanding of everything as he just goes to ask why do you make a lunch for someone you like. Mako just answers that girls at times do things like it to express things they care about, and then in how she says "sometimes, girls would even give up their lives for love," and that element just in a sense hurts as it imho goes to serve as a reinforcement of what happened at the finale of the first season I feel?
But then in comes An to go and say to not eat unusual lunches with a vicious "because they might get you sick." I just love Mako's angry reaction at it, while Ail is just eating the lunch, and then suddenly the aspect about the brother comes off, which just sets him choking and the both of them just engaging in a vicious staring fight.
After the commercial break, Usagi is again lectured at by Miss Haruna over having slept again in the afternoon and just told to go home. Usagi is just utterly drained of energy from having not eaten anything, as Ami is just sitting there waiting by the gate. But then in comes Luna with her lunch, and Usagi just goes to cradle the never eaten lunch.
Then back with the Ail and An show, An is just utterly pissed at Ail for eating human food, especially after all the time that has been spent together on taking energy from the Makai tree (which… does raise an interesting point in my head I'll mention after the episode). But before Ail can defend himself further, Mako goes to appear and asks if he wants to walk home together. Mako, how and why are you like this. :x An is needless to say still utterly pissed over it.
Both Mako and Ail have then arrived at some kind of playground, where Mako is just trying to get the words to speak for him while Ail is just privately thinking over how furious she might be. Ail then goes to ask Mako on the logic of like->lunch for people, as Mako just breaks out laughing. An is meanwhile furious over it and transforms.
Usagi is meanwhile outraged over the fact of Mako going on a date with Ail, while just utterly devouring her lunch. She is meanwhile utterly adamant that there is nothing connection-wise for them, and then just finishes lunch and goes to race off to see if it is in fact a date or not. Meanwhile while this is all happening, Luna is just atop Ami's head.
Back with the Mako and Ail show, Ail just is utterly confused by how you give love and lunches to people? Instead Ail says it should be taken for yourself, and Mako just seems unable to understand it. And then in comes An to cause problems, attacking the both of them and also stomping upon the lunchbox, while saying that Mako has no right to lecture anyone on love. I feel it was upon An's smashing of Mako's lunchbox, that she has incurred Mako's permanent hatred. Usagi, Ami, and Luna arrive on the scene as Usagi goes to transform to face off against the Cardians.
Mako is just seeming utterly pissed about her lunchbox being wrecked, and calling An a witch, but then in comes Usagi atop… something else in the playground (of which I forget the name). I just love how Ail is pissed at Sailor Moon calling her a pest, but then before Usagi can finish her motto, in comes Ail to attack. It's… I'm going to discuss this after the episode for my thoughts as a whole on then when Ail appears and then gives a kiss to An, but then in comes the Cardian to cause issues.
After Ami checks up on Mako, she then herself goes to transform as the Cardian then… does some kind of weird seaweed based attack? But then both Ami and Usagi get bundled into a sushi roll and thrown atop a fountain as Moonlight Knight comes to help Mako from breaking out of the container, as he goes to talk about love and courage and such. And then comes Mako's powerup as 'Supreme Thunder Dragon' which is just utterly amazing and stops the Cardian… as both Minako and Rei come to appear to help as well. Minako moves to halt Ail and An, as Rei goes to free both Ami and Usagi with a helping host of fire… kind of burning them a bit crispy, as Usagi then goes to defeat the Cardian.
As they all stand there after the defeat of the Cardian and both Ail and An running off, the Moonlight Knight goes to congratulate them. His only answer is he'll answer it one day before leaving. Mako however states that since he knows the true answer about love, he's obviously not Ail, before they all collapse when they say Moonlight Knight is a lot like her old boyfriend.
Back at the Ail and An residence, Ail has… attempted to make a lunch for An, to which she is quite happy over… but then doesn't have any idea what to do with it as the episode comes to a close.
Now comes the time to talk about the last of the power-up episodes, "Is Seijuro the Moonlight Knight? Mako on Fire". The main plot of this episode is something very interesting in how it sort of to a similar extent as with "For Whom is the White Rose? The Moonlight Knight Appears" focuses on the trio of Usagi, Ami, and Mako as the 'key figures' for the episode, albeit in terms of different directions. It opens up with the main goal of Ami and Mako wanting to know who the Moonlight Knight is, and the both of them then… devising methods to figure out who he is, Ami by using the computer, and then Mako by trying to get close to Ail to see if he is the Moonlight Knight (and someone she can date). Meanwhile, as Mako is romantically pursuing Ail (and An is getting even more pissed at it), Usagi is just dying of hunger and striving for food somewhere. All in all, the plot of this episode was another really good one for the character who is getting a power up, and I don't really have much to say explicitly on the plot as I feel it hit the targets I was hoping it did.
One of the interesting bits of this episode was how the episode played with Mako, Ami, and Usagi. In some extents, it felt like a significant narrative focus on the three of them as they went to solely do what they had meant to do in the course of the episode. Both Mako and Ami for instance, each moved to go and find out the Moonlight Knight was, but in entirely separate directions as the episode began. Mako upon seeing Ail and remembering how much he reminded her of her former boyfriend decided to go and romantically pursue him by seeing if he was in fact the Moonlight Knight so as to date him. Ami on the other hand decided to go and investigate using the power of technology to go and determine if Ail and the Moonlight Knight matched, which they didn't. Meanwhile unlike both Mako and Ami, Usagi found herself devoted on the need to get any kind of food when she forgot her lunch, only for that to be resolved by Luna. It was of anything, something of a really interesting aspect I felt for this episode since it did work to highlight the three of them in terms of their individual characters and some of their defining traits.
So, an interesting thought that came to mind after watching this episode was the question of the energy consumption for Ail and An and how it worked exactly. Like, it's kind of clear that their life-force is sustained from the energy gathered by the Makai tree, but can they sustain themselves off of in this case, human food? It's something that made me a bit puzzled on and thinking on after the episode, especially in terms of An wondering what to do with the lunch that was made by Ail. It's probably not the case, but it's something I had to mention as something I was stewing on.
What was interesting for the episode was how Ail viewed love. It came up in the context of Ail's confusion of liking someone and giving lunches to people, and Mako's answer on it. He explicitly said that "Love should be something you simply reach out and take for yourself!" It's something that is utterly interesting, especially in how he doesn't understand whatsoever about love. It's something I am thinking that is going to be touched on further considering that love is just such an omnipresent element of Sailor Moon. It's also like, something that is just kind of interesting if it something that is just tied with up the species Ail and An are or just something else.
In all, this episode was another good one, putting the power-up episodes at a three to two ranking of good to bad, with Usagi's, Rei's, and Mako's all being good, and the other two just being like… eh/bad. The aspect of a 'Supreme Thunder Dragon' for Mako is something that does fit, and it is kind of interesting in that considering both Rei and Mako had new animal-themed powerups, in that both of their episodes were good and if that is correlated.
One thing I did enjoy with this episode was like, again with the well... how do I phrase this, the questions/concern on how An and Ail well, consider each other despite being said to be 'siblings' publicly. It's an interesting aspect, especially with how jealous/angry that An gets over Mako. Also this episode had some imho v. good animation for the kind of reactions and depictions that were happening (such as the Ami-Mako thing upon Mako's discussion to go after Ail and then Usagi fainting from hunger). Also, I am going to officially make my prediction for Moonlight Knight, and it's going to be like, something tied up around Mamoru's memories especially considering his seemingly lack of memories returning and if that might be the reason. It's hmm, I am honestly not sure how else this arc is going to lead on or resolve itself, and is something of a bit of a puzzle for myself. Here's to seeing how the rest of the like, Ail and An arc will resolve itself!
- Location
- supernatural
Oh no Sailor Moon died once again.
He made her giggled.
Yeah it is a badass attack... too bad it doesn't make another appearance in the series.
Next episode title in the DIC dub is called "Mirror, Mirror On The Wall" . An episode in the DIC dub spawn a meme in the Sailor Moon community.
- Location
- New Hampshire
Yeah. Even now the 'he reminds me of my ex!' thing was getting tlightly old.
Ami spent the next few years getting her spine realigned.
I actually do feel more than a bit sorry for Usagi, here. Just a bit, though.
An was found later ripped into several chunks and electrocuted.
That is an interesting question. There's a species in the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic show called the changelings who feed on 'love'. And it's unknown if they can sustain themselves on physical food or not.
- Location
- USA
Unfortunately, Jupiter never used Supreme Thunder Dragon a second time in the anime
It did surface again in various Sailor Moon video games, however.It'll happen again in the 4th season, Jupiter getting a new powered-up attack that only appears in a single episode.
Last edited:
- Location
- Ohio
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Yeah it is a badass attack... too bad it doesn't make another appearance in the series.
*shakes fist*Unfortunately, Jupiter never used Supreme Thunder Dragon a second time in the anime
It'll happen again in the 4th season, Jupiter getting a new powered-up attack that only appears in a single episode.
Right. Just was an odd thought I had
To be honest, I thought it was more tied into like... Mako mentioning about how Ail is An's brother and the way she is talking about him isn't like... brotherly from what I recall? I might've misinterpreted the scene a bit there.
blast flame
How far will we go if it means lighting the way?
- Location
- Perth, Australia
- Pronouns
- They/Them
DeadlyViperQuill
oliversimpsonuk@yahoo.co.uk
- Location
- england
Another episode so quick @Usili 2.0, just the thing we need to kick off the week.
I have always enjoyed this episode, it feels in some ways a sequel to season one episode Total Chaos: The Messy Love Rectangle, which i know you weren't all that fond of for the reasons you stated.
I admit i hold it up as one of my favourites because of how hilarious it is to me in many places and because of the cartoonish animation it had that i felt suited Sailor Moon. But namely because like here, it had Makoto taking her tunnel vision approach to crushes and love and exploring it as this show does.
But i think this episode does it better, namely in keeping the focus on Makoto for the most part even though they are exaggerating the whole "like my senpai" thing that was a one off in the manga
and also on her and Ami stuff. which is always great as the two have great chemistry with each other on many levels in how they feel and think on the stuff that affect their duties and their personal lives. With Makoto getting all dreamy about Moonlight knight while Ami attends to the matter of who he could be and why he's helping the Sailors.
Especially if like me and the show at times right from Makoto's first episode if you pay attention to how Ami reacts to Makoto a number of scenes, especially here. You subtly ship them for many reasons as i do with Usagi and Rei.
Namely in how it not just once again allows us to see the earnest and sweet romanticist that Makoto is in all her teenage puppy love. But also in developing Ali with the what is this thing you call love trope and how he contrasts to his sister. Who has not been afraid to cling onto Mamrou in previous episodes. In how it also allows us to see how Makoto feels about love, how hurtful it can be at times for a girl as she knows firsthand and again allowing her to show just how adorable and earnest she is about it. As you say it forms part of the trio she has with Usagi and Ami in how they interact with each other and approach it as we have seen with Usagi a number of times and with Ami in season one with Ryo.
The animation in this episode is top quality and i love many of the facial reactions we get from everyone, the way Ami eats her lunch while still researching Ali (had to laugh at the bit where the translation says not so strong in liberal arts) and the nice little subtle touch of her final sandwich having rabbit ears. Subtly symbolizing Usagi was a sec too late in getting to her. To how Makoto's body language while she's sitting with Ali, fiddling and blushing. It reminded me very much of when i went to Tokyo sky tower for lunch back in 2015, where this couple were sitting and doing the same thing of being shy, playing with their hair, fingers etc. it was one of the most adorable things i ever saw and Makoto again is especially so enjoyable to watch.
i liked some of the stuff going on with the side character here like Naru and Uminio, with the latter constantly making too big of lunches and the same stuff. Heart very much in the right place, but Umi learn to read your partner mate. While Haruna has either reached the point where she can no longer be bothered in scolding Usagi for turning up late and sleeping in class or she has grown to cut Usagi some slack and hoping it will work better than having her stand outside the classroom all morning.
I have to wonder on Luna taking all day to bring Usagi's food, either she is bad at remembering where Usagi's school is or Usagi's lunch was so heavy she had to drag it across Tokyo all day. considering past episodes we have seen her carry Usagi's lunch, i'm inclined to view it the former.
Usagi's side stuff of looking for any food is in character for her to do and reminds us of the simple pleasures Usagi is passionate about. that's our Usagi through and through.
This episode wasn't a plot mover like the cherry garden was, or a deep exploration into a character the way the last episode was with Rei (though it nicely forecasts Makoto, Ami and Usagi in their own stuff). But its a really well done and nicely put together character driven breather that has many funny moments, nice character bits for main and side characters and allows one of the villains more focus sololy than we have seen thus far.
Excellent review as always mate
DeadlyViperQuill
I have always enjoyed this episode, it feels in some ways a sequel to season one episode Total Chaos: The Messy Love Rectangle, which i know you weren't all that fond of for the reasons you stated.
I admit i hold it up as one of my favourites because of how hilarious it is to me in many places and because of the cartoonish animation it had that i felt suited Sailor Moon. But namely because like here, it had Makoto taking her tunnel vision approach to crushes and love and exploring it as this show does.
But i think this episode does it better, namely in keeping the focus on Makoto for the most part even though they are exaggerating the whole "like my senpai" thing that was a one off in the manga
which eventually gets to the point later in R where she says it to a dog.
Especially if like me and the show at times right from Makoto's first episode if you pay attention to how Ami reacts to Makoto a number of scenes, especially here. You subtly ship them for many reasons as i do with Usagi and Rei.
Namely in how it not just once again allows us to see the earnest and sweet romanticist that Makoto is in all her teenage puppy love. But also in developing Ali with the what is this thing you call love trope and how he contrasts to his sister. Who has not been afraid to cling onto Mamrou in previous episodes. In how it also allows us to see how Makoto feels about love, how hurtful it can be at times for a girl as she knows firsthand and again allowing her to show just how adorable and earnest she is about it. As you say it forms part of the trio she has with Usagi and Ami in how they interact with each other and approach it as we have seen with Usagi a number of times and with Ami in season one with Ryo.
The animation in this episode is top quality and i love many of the facial reactions we get from everyone, the way Ami eats her lunch while still researching Ali (had to laugh at the bit where the translation says not so strong in liberal arts) and the nice little subtle touch of her final sandwich having rabbit ears. Subtly symbolizing Usagi was a sec too late in getting to her. To how Makoto's body language while she's sitting with Ali, fiddling and blushing. It reminded me very much of when i went to Tokyo sky tower for lunch back in 2015, where this couple were sitting and doing the same thing of being shy, playing with their hair, fingers etc. it was one of the most adorable things i ever saw and Makoto again is especially so enjoyable to watch.
i liked some of the stuff going on with the side character here like Naru and Uminio, with the latter constantly making too big of lunches and the same stuff. Heart very much in the right place, but Umi learn to read your partner mate. While Haruna has either reached the point where she can no longer be bothered in scolding Usagi for turning up late and sleeping in class or she has grown to cut Usagi some slack and hoping it will work better than having her stand outside the classroom all morning.
I have to wonder on Luna taking all day to bring Usagi's food, either she is bad at remembering where Usagi's school is or Usagi's lunch was so heavy she had to drag it across Tokyo all day. considering past episodes we have seen her carry Usagi's lunch, i'm inclined to view it the former.
Usagi's side stuff of looking for any food is in character for her to do and reminds us of the simple pleasures Usagi is passionate about. that's our Usagi through and through.
This episode wasn't a plot mover like the cherry garden was, or a deep exploration into a character the way the last episode was with Rei (though it nicely forecasts Makoto, Ami and Usagi in their own stuff). But its a really well done and nicely put together character driven breather that has many funny moments, nice character bits for main and side characters and allows one of the villains more focus sololy than we have seen thus far.
Excellent review as always mate
DeadlyViperQuill
- Location
- Ohio
- Pronouns
- He/Him
... I hadn't necessarily made that connection, but now that you suggest it. 🤔tl;dr: Ail is a Pick Up Artist
Another episode so quick @Usili 2.0, just the thing we need to kick off the week.
I have always enjoyed this episode, it feels in some ways a sequel to season one episode Total Chaos: The Messy Love Rectangle, which i know you weren't all that fond of for the reasons you stated.
I admit i hold it up as one of my favourites because of how hilarious it is to me in many places and because of the cartoonish animation it had that i felt suited Sailor Moon. But namely because like here, it had Makoto taking her tunnel vision approach to crushes and love and exploring it as this show does.
But i think this episode does it better, namely in keeping the focus on Makoto for the most part even though they are exaggerating the whole "like my senpai" thing that was a one off in the manga and also on her and Ami stuff. which is always great as the two have great chemistry with each other on many levels in how they feel and think on the stuff that affect their duties and their personal lives. With Makoto getting all dreamy about Moonlight knight while Ami attends to the matter of who he could be and why he's helping the Sailors.
Especially if like me and the show at times right from Makoto's first episode if you pay attention to how Ami reacts to Makoto a number of scenes, especially here. You subtly ship them for many reasons as i do with Usagi and Rei.
Namely in how it not just once again allows us to see the earnest and sweet romanticist that Makoto is in all her teenage puppy love. But also in developing Ali with the what is this thing you call love trope and how he contrasts to his sister. Who has not been afraid to cling onto Mamrou in previous episodes. In how it also allows us to see how Makoto feels about love, how hurtful it can be at times for a girl as she knows firsthand and again allowing her to show just how adorable and earnest she is about it. As you say it forms part of the trio she has with Usagi and Ami in how they interact with each other and approach it as we have seen with Usagi a number of times and with Ami in season one with Ryo.
The animation in this episode is top quality and i love many of the facial reactions we get from everyone, the way Ami eats her lunch while still researching Ali (had to laugh at the bit where the translation says not so strong in liberal arts) and the nice little subtle touch of her final sandwich having rabbit ears. Subtly symbolizing Usagi was a sec too late in getting to her. To how Makoto's body language while she's sitting with Ali, fiddling and blushing. It reminded me very much of when i went to Tokyo sky tower for lunch back in 2015, where this couple were sitting and doing the same thing of being shy, playing with their hair, fingers etc. it was one of the most adorable things i ever saw and Makoto again is especially so enjoyable to watch.
i liked some of the stuff going on with the side character here like Naru and Uminio, with the latter constantly making too big of lunches and the same stuff. Heart very much in the right place, but Umi learn to read your partner mate. While Haruna has either reached the point where she can no longer be bothered in scolding Usagi for turning up late and sleeping in class or she has grown to cut Usagi some slack and hoping it will work better than having her stand outside the classroom all morning.
I have to wonder on Luna taking all day to bring Usagi's food, either she is bad at remembering where Usagi's school is or Usagi's lunch was so heavy she had to drag it across Tokyo all day. considering past episodes we have seen her carry Usagi's lunch, i'm inclined to view it the former.
Usagi's side stuff of looking for any food is in character for her to do and reminds us of the simple pleasures Usagi is passionate about. that's our Usagi through and through.
This episode wasn't a plot mover like the cherry garden was, or a deep exploration into a character the way the last episode was with Rei (though it nicely forecasts Makoto, Ami and Usagi in their own stuff). But its a really well done and nicely put together character driven breather that has many funny moments, nice character bits for main and side characters and allows one of the villains more focus sololy than we have seen thus far.
Excellent review as always mate
DeadlyViperQuill
Fair and interesting points. I think something that in a way that was to this episode's benefit is while not necessarily being a deep exploration ala how Rei's was, it is something of an episode that does work well while presenting Mako as the lead character for this, also does well in highlighting Ami and Usagi imho.
Episode 56: Steal A Kiss From Mamoru! An's Project Snow White
- Location
- Ohio
- Pronouns
- He/Him
And on we go into the next one. I'm still experimenting with this new style I'm doing and interested in hearing people's thoughts on it.
Steal A Kiss From Mamoru! An's Project Snow White
The episode begins with Usagi apparently reading something, with Luna being surprised that she's studying by herself… but it turns out that Usagi is just fast asleep. Luna then notices if the story (Snow White) is making her have romantic dreams… with Luna then saying she hopes to share a passionate kiss with a male cat (… what about y'know Rhett Butler?). This does seem a fair bit of uh… odd behavior for Luna, so maybe Usagi is rubbing off on her. But then Luna accidentally trips on a pen and goes to wake up Usagi who was instead dreaming about food rather than romance, and Luna is just in utter despair over it.
Rolling on, An is just reading through Snow White with Ail just unbelieving of the need to study English and that instead they should focus on plans to gather energy before wandering off. An meanwhile is again on the exact trail of thought as Ail was in the last episode on the desire to steal a kiss from Mamoru. Well, this will be interesting.
Sometime the next day, Usagi arrives at the Hikawa Shrine and after the normal apology from her and barb from Rei, there's onto the main reason for why she was called here, Mamoru's in trouble! But Usagi jumps to conclusions over what it might be, but it's over a play at Juuban Hall that broke down after an argument over casting. Usagi has then decided they should go and help him then! And there is an amazing transition scene via Luna, which just reminds me a bit of Batman.
Mamoru just seems confused at first over it, before Usagi says that it was Rei's idea, and that they could all put up a performance of Snow White! … And Rei then says she could be Snow White since it was her idea. Oh no. Needless to say it just progresses… quite well (not) as they all break into an argument over who in the world should be Snow White. Each of the arguments for why they should be Snow White… is rather interesting. Rei arguing that she should get it because she suggested the idea; Usagi arguing that she should get it because she's "cute and adorable"; Mako arguing that she should get it because of her figure; Minako arguing that she should get it because she's the most like her; and then Ami arguing that she should get it because she has the fewest lines and she's busy with cram school and homework.
Mamoru needless to say, tries to intercede by bringing up the variety of other roles, but they all say that Mamoru will be the prince, and continue the fight. Umino and Naru show up, with Umino and Naru trying to stop it, but all five of them yell at them instead. But then appears An by saying they'll draw straws. I am suspicious. I am not going to lie, but I really enjoy the usage of the kind of music of a Dark Kingdom villain for the drawing of the initial straw by Usagi as it comes to reveal that she is the evil queen, with everyone else drawing the dwarves and An being Snow White.
As An walks away, she reveals that she rigged it, by having all but one with it being for the dwarves and when it came time to pull it, she held onto the bit that'd mark it as a dwarf so she could be Snow White. Back at the Makai Tree, An tries to get Ail to be one of the dwarves as they are short one, as he wants to be the Prince. But… he then goes to summon a Cardian, and tells the Cardian to steal their energy in like a week or so for when the play happens.
Meanwhile at the Community Center, they are practicing and An goes to demand they rerun the kiss scene again citing it as the 'most important scene' of it. Mamoru begins to practice doing it again, as Usagi starts biting her nails off, but then An goes to grab him as he gets ready to do it. This needless to say, results in him chastising her for it as she's supposed to stay still, and she goes to say perhaps they should try it again. But both Rei and Mako want to go ahead to veto it, considering how often it has been 'practiced'. I do have to say, a favorite line I have here is, "You are the most selfish of us all."
Come end of day, they all start heading to depart, with Naru and Umino leaving first, followed by Mamoru. An needless to say goes to join Mamoru for the walk home, which just utterly enrages Usagi (I do have a bit of enjoyment here with how the animation goes in just how utterly pissed she gets over it). Meanwhile, Mako and Rei are growing even more annoyed about Ail and Minako accidentally goes to spill the beans of how she only got the role because she cheated.
Usagi is just, utterly outraged before just breaking out into tears over it. They then go to explain how she cheated, and Usagi is just outraged none of them didn't say anything over it. Each of them then go to explain their thoughts on why they didn't call her out, which are each interesting in terms of their own characters on this. Usagi just continues in saying that cheating is cheating.
When they go start walking towards the Hikawa Shrine, with Usagi intent on confronting her at school the next day, they notice her walking up the steps of the Shrine, and them wondering what she is doing there. But there, they see An doing a hope for the play being successful said, while inside hoping to steal Mamoru's kiss. However, they all pretty much agree to make it a success (albeit Usagi is still pissed over her kissing Mamoru)
Sometime later, they are there all practicing and just… why are they all in animal costumes. Just… what in the world is even going on. This doesn't make any sense. However, it turns out to be Umino's fault but both Rei and Mako are just utterly pissed at Umino for it. Meanwhile, An seems deliberate on fucking with Usagi by saying she looks wonderful as the witch… while Usagi just wishes in her head on being able to wear a pretty dress.
Back at the aliens home, An is just practicing the kiss in her head while Ail is just wondering what she is doing. Her answer is that she's rehearsing, and then like… I see it's now entitled 'Snow White and the Six Fairies' and I have many questions. But then Ail goes to daydream about him kissing Usagi, and he just goes to offer An to break a leg and just wishes that he could've been the prince.
Meanwhile with Usagi, she is just going to practice the lines of the witch. Then her brother goes to tease her by calling her performance rather ham, and then he says he'll be attending tomorrow. Oh, this is going to be interesting.
Meanwhile, it's apparently packed at Juban Hall for the performance, as everyone is excited for the performance. But, waiting among the sets is the Cardian… to the confusion of everyone, with Mako, Minako, and I think it was Rei utterly confused over there being a clown in the play? But the Cardian then starts to unleash chaos in destroying the sets, as Ail goes charging in to stop the attack and only gets to thrown back into Mamoru… needless to say, she thinks of going to kiss Mamoru just then but gets hit again and knocked out.
Umino and Naru then begin running from the monster, with Umino tripping and hitting Naru… who then hits everyone else and then sending them all toppling down. This entire comedic bit just fits the episode to a t. Usagi however is the only one who can deal with the Cardian and goes to transform.
Usagi then arrives onto the stage by… some means, which is a rather tasteful direction done by the art (albeit not making logical sense). She then however proceeds to get attacked immediately by the Cardian because of the way she entered, and then comes in Moonlight Knight to save her.
However, then appears the four other Sailors each of them with their own… interesting introductions, which as befits the stages. They do fit each of their characters I feel, albeit if it wasn't for the masquerade, Ami's would be like… quite obvious I feel. There is something amusing in that Ami is just angry for the time taken away that she could've done for studying and the three books that she could've read!
Upon the Cardian's defeat, we somehow have Moonlight Knight upon a moon stage thing before he winds up being withdrawn towards the ceiling as to give the Sailors the stage. The audience meanwhile is just shouting for an encore as that scene comes to a close.
And then finally back at the home of the aliens, An is just utterly distraught at what Ail did, and just is in tears over it, and while the scene does sell her emotions, her words of how close she was to stealing Mamoru's kiss does also at the same time undercut it, but does create a sympathetic villain. Meanwhile for Ail, his closing thoughts/words are "They really should've let me play the prince."
And let's move onto the thoughts I have on this episode, which is entitled, "Steal A Kiss From Mamoru! An's Project Snow White". The plot of this episode was while in some ways still being a kind of 'slice of life' aspect had an entirely different focus in terms of how it emerged. It wasn't that of a target by Ail and An or necessarily something the Sailors were explicitly doing (such as for instance, the idea of the VR training or figuring out who the identity of the Moonlight Knight is), but that of something around Mamoru. In this case? The fact of the falling out of his play group over casting, and thus the idea by the Sailors in going to help! This needless to say results in chaos because they all want to be Snow White… upon which An enters the pictures comes upon a solution, that results in her getting to be Snow White and to kiss Mamoru. But, it's not An that brings forth the Cardian… but Ail because of the jealously of Mamoru being the prince and wanting to kiss Usagi. The episode's plot is something that is just very comedic all told, in terms of focusing upon such a simple premise and it just going to roll on from there. It's honestly something I didn't expect to work, but just worked really well I feel.
Something interesting on this episode I found, was how much this episode was just driven by teenage antics, and in a certain sense a microcosm for how the arc is as a whole. Like, if it was not for Ail's desire to be the prince, none of what the Cardian did (and the disruption of the play) would have happened at all. And when you consider that aspect and look through a decent amount of the arc, it really does feel that it's just driven by teenage antics, such as with the last episode and An's anger at Mako for lecturing about love and such as another example. There's also something else interesting at least, if Ail thinks that by being the prince he can then kiss Usagi… who is the witch. Does he just think that by being the prince then Usagi would be Snow White?
One big thing I was honestly expecting from the initial premise of this episode to turn out rather… bad, but it actually surprised me on how it actually went. For instance, the argument on whom to be for Snow White is both rather comedic and at least something that I felt does make sense in a way for the characters in arguing on why they should be Snow White. Then there was also the rather amusing aspect for the matter of the costumes, in how the dwarfs are all just animals to the utter frustration of both Mako and Rei. And like, it's something I feel that also does fit considering that Umino was somehow picked to find the costumes for everyone.
Another interesting element with this episode is that I felt it served as a reinforcement of what happened last episode with Ail and his views on love, but instead going to showcase it upon An. An in some ways exhibits a similar aspect as with Ail in the last episode by wanting to steal Mamoru's kiss, and in part the desire for being Snow White. And I think considering the similarities, it does bring forth several questions as to how and why they view love like that. Something I'll probably have to muse on a bit for this.
All in all, this was a rather fun episode to watch and enjoy. There wasn't necessarily that much I felt purely that could be discussed as part of the episode, as it was really by the book. It offered a really interesting aspect for how it presented the Sailors in terms of the viewpoint on confronting her over the cheating, before reversing it upon seeing her at the Hikawa Shrine and hoping it for to be a success, with the unsaid aspect by her of hoping to kiss Mamoru. It does make me wonder how it might've gone if that had been revealed and the kind of ramifications to the episode as a whole. One thing that did interest a bit was the whole introduction sequence for the rest of the Sailors as part of it, albeit Ami, why did you in essence reveal yourself as Sailor Mercury :x.A big thing I do feel is where the plot might go from here as you have had the power-ups for the Sailors, and I do admit that Ail and An are becoming a bit… stale so far.
Steal A Kiss From Mamoru! An's Project Snow White
The episode begins with Usagi apparently reading something, with Luna being surprised that she's studying by herself… but it turns out that Usagi is just fast asleep. Luna then notices if the story (Snow White) is making her have romantic dreams… with Luna then saying she hopes to share a passionate kiss with a male cat (… what about y'know Rhett Butler?). This does seem a fair bit of uh… odd behavior for Luna, so maybe Usagi is rubbing off on her.
But then Luna accidentally trips on a pen and goes to wake up Usagi who was instead dreaming about food rather than romance, and Luna is just in utter despair over it.
Rolling on, An is just reading through Snow White with Ail just unbelieving of the need to study English and that instead they should focus on plans to gather energy before wandering off. An meanwhile is again on the exact trail of thought as Ail was in the last episode on the desire to steal a kiss from Mamoru. Well, this will be interesting.
Sometime the next day, Usagi arrives at the Hikawa Shrine and after the normal apology from her and barb from Rei, there's onto the main reason for why she was called here, Mamoru's in trouble! But Usagi jumps to conclusions over what it might be, but it's over a play at Juuban Hall that broke down after an argument over casting. Usagi has then decided they should go and help him then! And there is an amazing transition scene via Luna, which just reminds me a bit of Batman.
Mamoru just seems confused at first over it, before Usagi says that it was Rei's idea, and that they could all put up a performance of Snow White! … And Rei then says she could be Snow White since it was her idea. Oh no. Needless to say it just progresses… quite well (not) as they all break into an argument over who in the world should be Snow White. Each of the arguments for why they should be Snow White… is rather interesting. Rei arguing that she should get it because she suggested the idea; Usagi arguing that she should get it because she's "cute and adorable"; Mako arguing that she should get it because of her figure; Minako arguing that she should get it because she's the most like her; and then Ami arguing that she should get it because she has the fewest lines and she's busy with cram school and homework.
Mamoru needless to say, tries to intercede by bringing up the variety of other roles, but they all say that Mamoru will be the prince, and continue the fight. Umino and Naru show up, with Umino and Naru trying to stop it, but all five of them yell at them instead. But then appears An by saying they'll draw straws. I am suspicious. I am not going to lie, but I really enjoy the usage of the kind of music of a Dark Kingdom villain for the drawing of the initial straw by Usagi as it comes to reveal that she is the evil queen, with everyone else drawing the dwarves and An being Snow White.
As An walks away, she reveals that she rigged it, by having all but one with it being for the dwarves and when it came time to pull it, she held onto the bit that'd mark it as a dwarf so she could be Snow White. Back at the Makai Tree, An tries to get Ail to be one of the dwarves as they are short one, as he wants to be the Prince. But… he then goes to summon a Cardian, and tells the Cardian to steal their energy in like a week or so for when the play happens.
Meanwhile at the Community Center, they are practicing and An goes to demand they rerun the kiss scene again citing it as the 'most important scene' of it. Mamoru begins to practice doing it again, as Usagi starts biting her nails off, but then An goes to grab him as he gets ready to do it. This needless to say, results in him chastising her for it as she's supposed to stay still, and she goes to say perhaps they should try it again. But both Rei and Mako want to go ahead to veto it, considering how often it has been 'practiced'. I do have to say, a favorite line I have here is, "You are the most selfish of us all."
Come end of day, they all start heading to depart, with Naru and Umino leaving first, followed by Mamoru. An needless to say goes to join Mamoru for the walk home, which just utterly enrages Usagi (I do have a bit of enjoyment here with how the animation goes in just how utterly pissed she gets over it). Meanwhile, Mako and Rei are growing even more annoyed about Ail and Minako accidentally goes to spill the beans of how she only got the role because she cheated.
Usagi is just, utterly outraged before just breaking out into tears over it. They then go to explain how she cheated, and Usagi is just outraged none of them didn't say anything over it. Each of them then go to explain their thoughts on why they didn't call her out, which are each interesting in terms of their own characters on this. Usagi just continues in saying that cheating is cheating.
When they go start walking towards the Hikawa Shrine, with Usagi intent on confronting her at school the next day, they notice her walking up the steps of the Shrine, and them wondering what she is doing there. But there, they see An doing a hope for the play being successful said, while inside hoping to steal Mamoru's kiss. However, they all pretty much agree to make it a success (albeit Usagi is still pissed over her kissing Mamoru)
Sometime later, they are there all practicing and just… why are they all in animal costumes. Just… what in the world is even going on. This doesn't make any sense. However, it turns out to be Umino's fault but both Rei and Mako are just utterly pissed at Umino for it. Meanwhile, An seems deliberate on fucking with Usagi by saying she looks wonderful as the witch… while Usagi just wishes in her head on being able to wear a pretty dress.
Back at the aliens home, An is just practicing the kiss in her head while Ail is just wondering what she is doing. Her answer is that she's rehearsing, and then like… I see it's now entitled 'Snow White and the Six Fairies' and I have many questions. But then Ail goes to daydream about him kissing Usagi, and he just goes to offer An to break a leg and just wishes that he could've been the prince.
Meanwhile with Usagi, she is just going to practice the lines of the witch. Then her brother goes to tease her by calling her performance rather ham, and then he says he'll be attending tomorrow. Oh, this is going to be interesting.
Meanwhile, it's apparently packed at Juban Hall for the performance, as everyone is excited for the performance. But, waiting among the sets is the Cardian… to the confusion of everyone, with Mako, Minako, and I think it was Rei utterly confused over there being a clown in the play? But the Cardian then starts to unleash chaos in destroying the sets, as Ail goes charging in to stop the attack and only gets to thrown back into Mamoru… needless to say, she thinks of going to kiss Mamoru just then but gets hit again and knocked out.
Umino and Naru then begin running from the monster, with Umino tripping and hitting Naru… who then hits everyone else and then sending them all toppling down. This entire comedic bit just fits the episode to a t. Usagi however is the only one who can deal with the Cardian and goes to transform.
Usagi then arrives onto the stage by… some means, which is a rather tasteful direction done by the art (albeit not making logical sense). She then however proceeds to get attacked immediately by the Cardian because of the way she entered, and then comes in Moonlight Knight to save her.
However, then appears the four other Sailors each of them with their own… interesting introductions, which as befits the stages.
They do fit each of their characters I feel, albeit if it wasn't for the masquerade, Ami's would be like… quite obvious I feel. There is something amusing in that Ami is just angry for the time taken away that she could've done for studying and the three books that she could've read!
Upon the Cardian's defeat, we somehow have Moonlight Knight upon a moon stage thing before he winds up being withdrawn towards the ceiling as to give the Sailors the stage. The audience meanwhile is just shouting for an encore as that scene comes to a close.
And then finally back at the home of the aliens, An is just utterly distraught at what Ail did, and just is in tears over it, and while the scene does sell her emotions, her words of how close she was to stealing Mamoru's kiss does also at the same time undercut it, but does create a sympathetic villain. Meanwhile for Ail, his closing thoughts/words are "They really should've let me play the prince."
And let's move onto the thoughts I have on this episode, which is entitled, "Steal A Kiss From Mamoru! An's Project Snow White". The plot of this episode was while in some ways still being a kind of 'slice of life' aspect had an entirely different focus in terms of how it emerged. It wasn't that of a target by Ail and An or necessarily something the Sailors were explicitly doing (such as for instance, the idea of the VR training or figuring out who the identity of the Moonlight Knight is), but that of something around Mamoru. In this case? The fact of the falling out of his play group over casting, and thus the idea by the Sailors in going to help! This needless to say results in chaos because they all want to be Snow White… upon which An enters the pictures comes upon a solution, that results in her getting to be Snow White and to kiss Mamoru. But, it's not An that brings forth the Cardian… but Ail because of the jealously of Mamoru being the prince and wanting to kiss Usagi. The episode's plot is something that is just very comedic all told, in terms of focusing upon such a simple premise and it just going to roll on from there. It's honestly something I didn't expect to work, but just worked really well I feel.
Something interesting on this episode I found, was how much this episode was just driven by teenage antics, and in a certain sense a microcosm for how the arc is as a whole. Like, if it was not for Ail's desire to be the prince, none of what the Cardian did (and the disruption of the play) would have happened at all. And when you consider that aspect and look through a decent amount of the arc, it really does feel that it's just driven by teenage antics, such as with the last episode and An's anger at Mako for lecturing about love and such as another example. There's also something else interesting at least, if Ail thinks that by being the prince he can then kiss Usagi… who is the witch. Does he just think that by being the prince then Usagi would be Snow White?
One big thing I was honestly expecting from the initial premise of this episode to turn out rather… bad, but it actually surprised me on how it actually went. For instance, the argument on whom to be for Snow White is both rather comedic and at least something that I felt does make sense in a way for the characters in arguing on why they should be Snow White. Then there was also the rather amusing aspect for the matter of the costumes, in how the dwarfs are all just animals to the utter frustration of both Mako and Rei. And like, it's something I feel that also does fit considering that Umino was somehow picked to find the costumes for everyone.
Another interesting element with this episode is that I felt it served as a reinforcement of what happened last episode with Ail and his views on love, but instead going to showcase it upon An. An in some ways exhibits a similar aspect as with Ail in the last episode by wanting to steal Mamoru's kiss, and in part the desire for being Snow White. And I think considering the similarities, it does bring forth several questions as to how and why they view love like that. Something I'll probably have to muse on a bit for this.
All in all, this was a rather fun episode to watch and enjoy. There wasn't necessarily that much I felt purely that could be discussed as part of the episode, as it was really by the book. It offered a really interesting aspect for how it presented the Sailors in terms of the viewpoint on confronting her over the cheating, before reversing it upon seeing her at the Hikawa Shrine and hoping it for to be a success, with the unsaid aspect by her of hoping to kiss Mamoru. It does make me wonder how it might've gone if that had been revealed and the kind of ramifications to the episode as a whole. One thing that did interest a bit was the whole introduction sequence for the rest of the Sailors as part of it, albeit Ami, why did you in essence reveal yourself as Sailor Mercury :x.A big thing I do feel is where the plot might go from here as you have had the power-ups for the Sailors, and I do admit that Ail and An are becoming a bit… stale so far.
- Location
- USA
The DiC dub had "Lita" saying that she should get the role because of her "talent." US fans later used that euphemism jokingly, a la Macross Frontier fans 10+ years later insisting on "hopes and dreams."
We're near the end of this story arc, so, uh, hang in there?
Last edited:
- Location
- supernatural
The DiC dub had "Lita" saying that she should get the role because of her "talent." US fans later used that euphemism jokingly, a la Macross Frontier fans 10+ years later insisting on "hopes and dreams."
We're near the end of this story arc, so, uh, hang in there?
Oh yeah this one dub change made the episode very memorable, in the original Mako flat out tells the others " I should be Snow White because my breasts are bigger than everyone else"... The censors didn't even take out the 'boing' sound effect.
- Location
- New Hampshire
I absolutely loved that bit.
I'll give the dub credit for keeping that bit in.Anyway, I actually did feel bad for An, here. She may have gotten in through nefarious means, but she tried her best with the role. It was a legit shame what happened with the Cardian.
DeadlyViperQuill
oliversimpsonuk@yahoo.co.uk
- Location
- england
Finally got round to putting my thoughts on this great episode.
Said it before and i will say it again, Sailor Moon is brilliant when it comes to slice of life stuff. On showing how its characters engage with what they are doing whether its visiting a ice rink, theme park, beach or as in this episode taking part in a production of snow white by Mamrou.
Right off the bat, Luna has definitely either reawakened long lost romantic notions she may or may not have during her life under Queen Serenity. Or Usagi has rubbed off on her with her teenage daydreams and ideas of love etc. But either way it's pretty hilarious to see her acting out like that since from her first appearance. She has pretty much outside of occurrences like with Rhett Butler, been all business in making Usagi the sailor moon she wants her to be, in finding the moon princess and finding herself having to deal with the lumbering and conflicting emotions and actions of the teenage girls she has around her.
Oh and nicely providing a brilliant screen wipe via her mouth. Wished they had done that sooner or done it with the sailors. I can imagine the different ways they can do the sailors one.
Which this episode provides us with abundance with how they all argue on who gets to play the main role. With each of them providing their own arguments from Rei having the idea in the first place, to Usagi preaching the cute factor. Minako and her peppiness, Makoto and her "talents" (good on the dub for that reach around and for keeping the bong sound) and Ami getting the best one with her excuse of having to study so she should play it due to her having the least lines. Once again Ami gets the biggest laugh from me, she's on a real roll at the moment with the great lines or reactions she gets.
Love the camera shot of them arguing as if they are on a merry go round. Heck the whole episode was brilliant on the animation front, excellent facial reactions throughout
This is i think the first episode i can think of where the focus is on An instead of Ali as we have seen in previous episodes. With the girls pretty much reaching her limit with her after previous interactions with her having been An as Natsumi being in some ways kind of how Rei could be with Usagi and her teammates at times in season one. Something Rei picks up acutely here along with the rest where despite knowing she cheated in the straw draw. Decide to give her the role to try and help her. Which i thought was interesting and nice way of showing the empathy, the fact all four of them know loneliness and being oscastated from others before they met Usagi and each other. Adds a good layer to the episode.
And An, i have to say i felt for her here, even though she's trying to take Mamoru's energy and because she has a crush on him, she clearly is enamoured with the romantic spirit of the Snow White tale, of finding your one true love. The pray she does at the shrine for it all to go well really shows how much it means to her and the girls being even more determined to make it work despite their misgiving about her makes it even more potent.
Again very much like how the teenage side of the sailors comes out strongly here, so it does for her and the way she breaks down at the end made me feel for her. Especially as Ali ended up screwing the whole show by sending the clown Cardigan because he didn't get to play the prince.
Alsi gets a great teenage feel by his desire to play the prince and fantasising on kissing Usagi. The two are truly teenagers through and through.
Of course, Usagi brings up a interesting point before she lets her jealousy of An playing the role and potentially kissing Mamoru. Of how is this really the best way to help An considering how abrasive she is to everyone etc. that friends should call each other one when they are treating others badly.
Have to say despite the appearance not seeming intimidating at first glance. Bipierrot was another intimidating Cardigan with how they acted here, the camera shots capturing their threat very well with the white eyes making them creepy in that IT way i love in clown villains.
Honestly Uminio, you really thought the girls would be happy wearing those outfits despite them meaning to be dwarves 🤨? No wonder Rei and Makoto got mad at him for it.
Usagi's witch outfit always makes me smile. It suits her very much,
Still he made up for that by causing the hilarious whack a mole struggle between them all.
Loved the Sailor entrances and their words. Ami again gets the best one by somehow being serious of getting her studying guide time back, girl really does love her studying thats for sure.
I just noticed something, Artemus has been missing for two episodes now. Wonder where that tomcat is during this episode?
Another enjoyable episode with so many great bits.
Keep up the fine work as always @Usili 2.0.
DeadlyViperQuill
Said it before and i will say it again, Sailor Moon is brilliant when it comes to slice of life stuff. On showing how its characters engage with what they are doing whether its visiting a ice rink, theme park, beach or as in this episode taking part in a production of snow white by Mamrou.
Right off the bat, Luna has definitely either reawakened long lost romantic notions she may or may not have during her life under Queen Serenity. Or Usagi has rubbed off on her with her teenage daydreams and ideas of love etc. But either way it's pretty hilarious to see her acting out like that since from her first appearance. She has pretty much outside of occurrences like with Rhett Butler, been all business in making Usagi the sailor moon she wants her to be, in finding the moon princess and finding herself having to deal with the lumbering and conflicting emotions and actions of the teenage girls she has around her.
Oh and nicely providing a brilliant screen wipe via her mouth. Wished they had done that sooner or done it with the sailors. I can imagine the different ways they can do the sailors one.
Which this episode provides us with abundance with how they all argue on who gets to play the main role. With each of them providing their own arguments from Rei having the idea in the first place, to Usagi preaching the cute factor. Minako and her peppiness, Makoto and her "talents" (good on the dub for that reach around and for keeping the bong sound) and Ami getting the best one with her excuse of having to study so she should play it due to her having the least lines. Once again Ami gets the biggest laugh from me, she's on a real roll at the moment with the great lines or reactions she gets.
Love the camera shot of them arguing as if they are on a merry go round. Heck the whole episode was brilliant on the animation front, excellent facial reactions throughout
This is i think the first episode i can think of where the focus is on An instead of Ali as we have seen in previous episodes. With the girls pretty much reaching her limit with her after previous interactions with her having been An as Natsumi being in some ways kind of how Rei could be with Usagi and her teammates at times in season one. Something Rei picks up acutely here along with the rest where despite knowing she cheated in the straw draw. Decide to give her the role to try and help her. Which i thought was interesting and nice way of showing the empathy, the fact all four of them know loneliness and being oscastated from others before they met Usagi and each other. Adds a good layer to the episode.
And An, i have to say i felt for her here, even though she's trying to take Mamoru's energy and because she has a crush on him, she clearly is enamoured with the romantic spirit of the Snow White tale, of finding your one true love. The pray she does at the shrine for it all to go well really shows how much it means to her and the girls being even more determined to make it work despite their misgiving about her makes it even more potent.
Again very much like how the teenage side of the sailors comes out strongly here, so it does for her and the way she breaks down at the end made me feel for her. Especially as Ali ended up screwing the whole show by sending the clown Cardigan because he didn't get to play the prince.
Alsi gets a great teenage feel by his desire to play the prince and fantasising on kissing Usagi. The two are truly teenagers through and through.
Of course, Usagi brings up a interesting point before she lets her jealousy of An playing the role and potentially kissing Mamoru. Of how is this really the best way to help An considering how abrasive she is to everyone etc. that friends should call each other one when they are treating others badly.
Have to say despite the appearance not seeming intimidating at first glance. Bipierrot was another intimidating Cardigan with how they acted here, the camera shots capturing their threat very well with the white eyes making them creepy in that IT way i love in clown villains.
Honestly Uminio, you really thought the girls would be happy wearing those outfits despite them meaning to be dwarves 🤨? No wonder Rei and Makoto got mad at him for it.
Usagi's witch outfit always makes me smile. It suits her very much,
Still he made up for that by causing the hilarious whack a mole struggle between them all.
Loved the Sailor entrances and their words. Ami again gets the best one by somehow being serious of getting her studying guide time back, girl really does love her studying thats for sure.
I just noticed something, Artemus has been missing for two episodes now. Wonder where that tomcat is during this episode?
Another enjoyable episode with so many great bits.
Keep up the fine work as always @Usili 2.0
. DeadlyViperQuill
Episode 57: After-School Trouble: Usagi Is A Target
- Location
- Ohio
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Right, I'll answer the responses on the last episode after this post, b/c I've been meaning to get this posted for the past like, two days or so.
After-School Trouble: Usagi Is A Target
In unusual circumstances, this episode goes to begin at the culmination of a fight, which is an interesting choice I do have to say. The fight concludes however as the sun rises upon a new day, and hmm. This is going to be interesting. But! Usagi, Ami, and Mako are all running late and Ami is worrying over the fact that she has never been late to school. However, both Ami and Mako have managed to pull ahead as Usagi comes barnstorming into the class… and just winds up causing trouble as Miss Haruna is just calling out her name.
And then, somehow, she… isn't in trouble? What? This feels like a Dark Kingdom plot. But, in the office a phone call has arrived for her… and ah, she was in for a date. But, the date is apparently off and rip Haruna's good mood then. This is bound to go well.
Back in the classroom, both Usagi and An are absolutely tired, Usagi needing food and Ail needing well, energy. Miss Haruna however is straight to the point in being utterly angry and telling them to get back to their seats now. Immediately in class for English lessons, Usagi then decides to start eating which needless to say gets her into trouble and forced into detention after school. Haruna then turns to Ail… who just says translates the passage into the language of her homeworld (which is presumed by Haruna as gibberish and making fun of it I feel?), and then which results in her also getting into trouble and being forced to stay after school.
Up on the roof, Ail just goes to ask if they broke their cover, to which An says she didn't. An just appears utterly exhausted for today, with Ail focusing on the questions of their future and the need to keep hiding their identities. But the blame is on the Sailors for the mess they are in, and in comes the Cardian. But in comes Usagi, who has grabbed An to bring her to the detention. Meanwhile, Ail sighs wistfully and says he will steal her heart someday, which is like… reinforcing the bit even further about them stealing love. Not great I have to say.
Meanwhile, Minako, Rei, and Mako are with the cats, as Minako goes to comment on how Usagi is stuck after school, while Rei barbs on her and Mako defends her. I am meanwhile surprised by Luna's defense, as Artemis goes to suggest canceling the meeting. Minako then goes to state they should go to a movie, and I… wait, what. I… Minako puts them in a bag and then zips them up in the bag? What? Minako, what are you doing???
Meanwhile in class, the both of them are stuck doing problems and can't leave until they finish them because of Miss Haruna's date getting axed. However, she then suddenly has a phone call and what do you know, her date has been uncancelled and to go right now. And, she appears to have forgotten about the two of them. Wow. Usagi has however decided she can't waste her day here, and starts packing up in order to see Mamoru. An however can't believe what she has heard, and can't believe that Usagi hasn't given up on him. Which just segues into An challenging Usagi into a race on the assignment and whomever loses has to give up on Mamoru. That is uh, a challenge to say the least.
Ail has meanwhile decided to bring forth a Cardian from atop a tower. He goes to order the Cardian to gather the energy of Mamoru, seeing it as the way to win over Usagi's love for him. However… the Cardian then goes running off somewhere else, while we just see something happening with the Makai Tree. Meanwhile with An, she is just utterly running out of energy and finding it impossibly difficult because of it. She has however cinched upon a plan to gather energy, while also stopping the troubles with Usagi also going after Mamoru. Steal her energy of course.
Back from the commercial break at the cram school, the Cardian just comes bursting through stealing the energy of two people before bursting out. Ami goes to contact Minako, Rei, and Mako, who are all just watching the movie. They set ready to leave, but Rei is just, not ready to leave because the movie's getting good and then Minako observing how the lead looks just like Alan (which requires Artemis to help Minako out).
With the Usagi and An show, An gets ready to steal Usagi's energy and just goes in with utter caution… only to go in at the last second as Usagi bends over to the side to grab her eraser… An meanwhile goes tumbling down over the desk and just says she is exercising, to Usagi's confusion. The Cardian has meanwhile arrived at the playground and then just keeps leaping around. But, the Usagi and An show continues as she again tries to steal Usagi's energy… only to get a pencil in her nose. Usagi meanwhile wonders where Miss Haruna is… and we just have a shot to her date, while she thinks she forgot something and it probably 'wasn't that important'.
The Cardian then appears to steal their energy, and then goes to steal the energy of… ducks? What? What is the Cardian doing? I am kind of with Ail here in terms of the confusion of the Cardian's just, utter lack of refusing orders as it is just a bit bewildering. The Sailors (sans Usagi) then go to show up… only for the Cardian to then run off upon the attack. I love Minako just answering, "Does that mean we won?"
Late at night, Usagi and An are continuing to work, as Usagi gets closer to finishing. An however is just, getting utterly tired and acknowledges Usagi is a worthy opponent (which is just utterly amazing). Usagi however goes to ask if there is anything she can do to help, which leads to An thinking about the tale of the turtle and the rabbit (which is a bit amusing considering how Usagi is technically a rabbit), and the similarities therein. An then just goes to ask Usagi to close her eyes for ten seconds, and then just prepares to go and suck all her energy away… only for the Cardian to come running through.
Ail and An have a brief telepathic talk over how the Cardian isn't listening, and there is then Usagi just watching the fight as the attacks miss. The Makai Tree then goes to do something, which energizes the Cardian as it goes to attack the Sailors. Luna then goes to get Usagi to transform as she wonders where Natsumi went off to…
Usagi then comes to arrive on the scene… only for her to suddenly get extremely tired, as the Cardian goes to attack again, and in comes Moonlight Knight to go and help Usagi. Usagi then goes to finish off the Cardian, and she then heads back to the class as the rest of the Sailors are just amazed at the energy she has. Ail meanwhile just feels as if something big is about to happen or already has...
Back in the classroom, Usagi cheers over her being finished, while An has suddenly finished as both Ami and Mako arrive in the room. The two of them then agree to a draw and just letting Mamoru decide for it. The episode then just comes to a close as the Makai Tree shakes and groans…
Lets move on to discussing this episode, entitled, "After-School Trouble: Usagi Is A Target." The episode begins with a reversal of the standard format by coming to a close of a fight with a Cardian as day approaches. Naturally, this leads to Usagi, Ami, and Mako running late to class, and then somehow Usagi doesn't wind up in trouble. This gets revealed to be have been because Miss Haruna has a date… only for it to be revealed to be canceled, which thrusts both Usagi and An into detention by an aggrieved Miss Haruna. With the both of them thrust into detention, they then start a competition that whomever finishes the detention assignment last will have to give up going after Mamoru. As the pair of them engage in this 'high-stakes' context, the rest of the Sailors head to a movie (sans Ami who is at cram school) and Ail goes forth to summon a Cardian… that refuses to listen to his orders. It then just segues into a series of amusing bits for the rest of the episode that culminates in the Cardian being defeated and something happening with the Makai Tree. The plot from an initial glance if one supposes it as Usagi and An get in trouble and wind up in detention is something that very much seems by rote, but upon how it is done goes in an interesting direction. It goes as something a bit agianst the standard format for how it opens, and the way it is done is interesting as it actually showcases the movement of the arc going forward with Ail's lack of energy and then the Cardian's refusal to obey combined with whatever the Makai Tree is doing. This episode's plot all told is an interesting one, that I'd consider so-so as a whole as a whole, and it feels like it is moving the arc as a whole towards its conclusion.
An interesting aspect to discuss on this episode are the actual kind of plot developments for the arc outside of the memories being restored and the Moonlight Knight. It has been established in that both Ail and An receive energy from the Makai Tree for life/sustenance, and so this episode is showcasing the ramifications of the Sailors efforts at stopping the energy gathering. An is utterly exhausted, the most clear sign in terms of the impact that is done. What it indicates is I feel that both Ail and An are really being pushed to the edge, as can be seen with how An was consistently trying to steal Usagi's energy but failing to do so. Then you had the Cardian that failed to listen to orders combined with whatever the Makai Tree was doing. The Cardian's refusal; to listen to the orders seemed linked to the Makai Tree's action, which has made me unsure of how it relates to the Cardian, but something that feels as if it will be something present for the conclusion of the arc.
One thing to comment on this episode was despite the interesting plot and comedic points, was the animation was a bit of an issue. It felt a bit poor in my view, bearing similarities to "For Whom Is the White Rose? The Moonlight Knight Appears" animation wise in terms of for instance on how the faces were done and so forth. It was a bit of a drag on the episode as a whole, taking away some bit I felt. Like, it is something that has given me frustration for episodes in that while they are good in terms of plot or character bits, it can be let down by the animation, which is just rather annoying.
All told for this episode, I feel it a bit positive about it, from going against the grain a bit with how the plot was structured and the kind of comedic antics that were going on it. It really feels like we are closing towards the end of the arc as the consequences of the Sailors' activities against Ail and An are pushing them closer and closer to the edge of no return. It does leave a strong question on how the arc will be resolved though. To share, the two comedic highlights of this episode I felt was An's constant attempts to get Usagi's energy (and utterly failing at it) and then Minako picking up the cats to put them in a duffel bag. Like… it's both where did the duffel bag come from, and also it feels like Minako has actually done this before! Rather hopeful that arc will be coming to a conclusion soon!
After-School Trouble: Usagi Is A Target
In unusual circumstances, this episode goes to begin at the culmination of a fight, which is an interesting choice I do have to say. The fight concludes however as the sun rises upon a new day, and hmm. This is going to be interesting. But! Usagi, Ami, and Mako are all running late and Ami is worrying over the fact that she has never been late to school. However, both Ami and Mako have managed to pull ahead as Usagi comes barnstorming into the class… and just winds up causing trouble as Miss Haruna is just calling out her name.
And then, somehow, she… isn't in trouble? What? This feels like a Dark Kingdom plot. But, in the office a phone call has arrived for her… and ah, she was in for a date. But, the date is apparently off and rip Haruna's good mood then. This is bound to go well.
Back in the classroom, both Usagi and An are absolutely tired, Usagi needing food and Ail needing well, energy. Miss Haruna however is straight to the point in being utterly angry and telling them to get back to their seats now. Immediately in class for English lessons, Usagi then decides to start eating which needless to say gets her into trouble and forced into detention after school. Haruna then turns to Ail… who just says translates the passage into the language of her homeworld (which is presumed by Haruna as gibberish and making fun of it I feel?), and then which results in her also getting into trouble and being forced to stay after school.
Up on the roof, Ail just goes to ask if they broke their cover, to which An says she didn't. An just appears utterly exhausted for today, with Ail focusing on the questions of their future and the need to keep hiding their identities. But the blame is on the Sailors for the mess they are in, and in comes the Cardian. But in comes Usagi, who has grabbed An to bring her to the detention. Meanwhile, Ail sighs wistfully and says he will steal her heart someday, which is like… reinforcing the bit even further about them stealing love. Not great I have to say.
Meanwhile, Minako, Rei, and Mako are with the cats, as Minako goes to comment on how Usagi is stuck after school, while Rei barbs on her and Mako defends her. I am meanwhile surprised by Luna's defense, as Artemis goes to suggest canceling the meeting. Minako then goes to state they should go to a movie, and I… wait, what. I… Minako puts them in a bag and then zips them up in the bag? What? Minako, what are you doing???
Meanwhile in class, the both of them are stuck doing problems and can't leave until they finish them because of Miss Haruna's date getting axed. However, she then suddenly has a phone call and what do you know, her date has been uncancelled and to go right now. And, she appears to have forgotten about the two of them. Wow. Usagi has however decided she can't waste her day here, and starts packing up in order to see Mamoru. An however can't believe what she has heard, and can't believe that Usagi hasn't given up on him. Which just segues into An challenging Usagi into a race on the assignment and whomever loses has to give up on Mamoru. That is uh, a challenge to say the least.
Ail has meanwhile decided to bring forth a Cardian from atop a tower. He goes to order the Cardian to gather the energy of Mamoru, seeing it as the way to win over Usagi's love for him. However… the Cardian then goes running off somewhere else, while we just see something happening with the Makai Tree. Meanwhile with An, she is just utterly running out of energy and finding it impossibly difficult because of it. She has however cinched upon a plan to gather energy, while also stopping the troubles with Usagi also going after Mamoru. Steal her energy of course.
Back from the commercial break at the cram school, the Cardian just comes bursting through stealing the energy of two people before bursting out. Ami goes to contact Minako, Rei, and Mako, who are all just watching the movie. They set ready to leave, but Rei is just, not ready to leave because the movie's getting good and then Minako observing how the lead looks just like Alan (which requires Artemis to help Minako out).
With the Usagi and An show, An gets ready to steal Usagi's energy and just goes in with utter caution… only to go in at the last second as Usagi bends over to the side to grab her eraser… An meanwhile goes tumbling down over the desk and just says she is exercising, to Usagi's confusion. The Cardian has meanwhile arrived at the playground and then just keeps leaping around. But, the Usagi and An show continues as she again tries to steal Usagi's energy… only to get a pencil in her nose. Usagi meanwhile wonders where Miss Haruna is… and we just have a shot to her date, while she thinks she forgot something and it probably 'wasn't that important'.
The Cardian then appears to steal their energy, and then goes to steal the energy of… ducks? What? What is the Cardian doing? I am kind of with Ail here in terms of the confusion of the Cardian's just, utter lack of refusing orders as it is just a bit bewildering. The Sailors (sans Usagi) then go to show up… only for the Cardian to then run off upon the attack. I love Minako just answering, "Does that mean we won?"
Late at night, Usagi and An are continuing to work, as Usagi gets closer to finishing. An however is just, getting utterly tired and acknowledges Usagi is a worthy opponent (which is just utterly amazing). Usagi however goes to ask if there is anything she can do to help, which leads to An thinking about the tale of the turtle and the rabbit (which is a bit amusing considering how Usagi is technically a rabbit
), and the similarities therein. An then just goes to ask Usagi to close her eyes for ten seconds, and then just prepares to go and suck all her energy away… only for the Cardian to come running through.
Ail and An have a brief telepathic talk over how the Cardian isn't listening, and there is then Usagi just watching the fight as the attacks miss. The Makai Tree then goes to do something, which energizes the Cardian as it goes to attack the Sailors. Luna then goes to get Usagi to transform as she wonders where Natsumi went off to…
Usagi then comes to arrive on the scene… only for her to suddenly get extremely tired, as the Cardian goes to attack again, and in comes Moonlight Knight to go and help Usagi. Usagi then goes to finish off the Cardian, and she then heads back to the class as the rest of the Sailors are just amazed at the energy she has. Ail meanwhile just feels as if something big is about to happen or already has...
Back in the classroom, Usagi cheers over her being finished, while An has suddenly finished as both Ami and Mako arrive in the room. The two of them then agree to a draw and just letting Mamoru decide for it. The episode then just comes to a close as the Makai Tree shakes and groans…
Lets move on to discussing this episode, entitled, "After-School Trouble: Usagi Is A Target." The episode begins with a reversal of the standard format by coming to a close of a fight with a Cardian as day approaches. Naturally, this leads to Usagi, Ami, and Mako running late to class, and then somehow Usagi doesn't wind up in trouble. This gets revealed to be have been because Miss Haruna has a date… only for it to be revealed to be canceled, which thrusts both Usagi and An into detention by an aggrieved Miss Haruna. With the both of them thrust into detention, they then start a competition that whomever finishes the detention assignment last will have to give up going after Mamoru. As the pair of them engage in this 'high-stakes' context, the rest of the Sailors head to a movie (sans Ami who is at cram school) and Ail goes forth to summon a Cardian… that refuses to listen to his orders. It then just segues into a series of amusing bits for the rest of the episode that culminates in the Cardian being defeated and something happening with the Makai Tree. The plot from an initial glance if one supposes it as Usagi and An get in trouble and wind up in detention is something that very much seems by rote, but upon how it is done goes in an interesting direction. It goes as something a bit agianst the standard format for how it opens, and the way it is done is interesting as it actually showcases the movement of the arc going forward with Ail's lack of energy and then the Cardian's refusal to obey combined with whatever the Makai Tree is doing. This episode's plot all told is an interesting one, that I'd consider so-so as a whole as a whole, and it feels like it is moving the arc as a whole towards its conclusion.
An interesting aspect to discuss on this episode are the actual kind of plot developments for the arc outside of the memories being restored and the Moonlight Knight. It has been established in that both Ail and An receive energy from the Makai Tree for life/sustenance, and so this episode is showcasing the ramifications of the Sailors efforts at stopping the energy gathering. An is utterly exhausted, the most clear sign in terms of the impact that is done. What it indicates is I feel that both Ail and An are really being pushed to the edge, as can be seen with how An was consistently trying to steal Usagi's energy but failing to do so. Then you had the Cardian that failed to listen to orders combined with whatever the Makai Tree was doing. The Cardian's refusal; to listen to the orders seemed linked to the Makai Tree's action, which has made me unsure of how it relates to the Cardian, but something that feels as if it will be something present for the conclusion of the arc.
One thing to comment on this episode was despite the interesting plot and comedic points, was the animation was a bit of an issue. It felt a bit poor in my view, bearing similarities to "For Whom Is the White Rose? The Moonlight Knight Appears" animation wise in terms of for instance on how the faces were done and so forth. It was a bit of a drag on the episode as a whole, taking away some bit I felt. Like, it is something that has given me frustration for episodes in that while they are good in terms of plot or character bits, it can be let down by the animation, which is just rather annoying.
All told for this episode, I feel it a bit positive about it, from going against the grain a bit with how the plot was structured and the kind of comedic antics that were going on it. It really feels like we are closing towards the end of the arc as the consequences of the Sailors' activities against Ail and An are pushing them closer and closer to the edge of no return. It does leave a strong question on how the arc will be resolved though. To share, the two comedic highlights of this episode I felt was An's constant attempts to get Usagi's energy (and utterly failing at it) and then Minako picking up the cats to put them in a duffel bag. Like… it's both where did the duffel bag come from, and also it feels like Minako has actually done this before! Rather hopeful that arc will be coming to a conclusion soon!
- Location
- supernatural
Mrs. Haruna was not in the mood today for Usagi nonsense.
I remember this scene in the DIC dub as Ann was such a wiseass here.. I Loved it.
They're going to see the new cat detective movie.
DeadlyViperQuill
oliversimpsonuk@yahoo.co.uk
- Location
- england
And here we go again with our thoughts on the next episode of Sailor Moon.
As you say, the setup of this one is very rota, basically the main character and their rival are stuck in detention and they end up chatting to each other during it while the teacher thats meant to oversee them either is so apathetic they ignore them or don't supervise them for whatever reason.
Its certainly interesting in how this episode handles Usagi and An alone with each other and how their thoughts and words match up in places like at the end.
I liked the sequence at the start with the sailors fighting a Cardigan, showing the provocativeness the sailors are taking and as a whole how Ali and An are feeling the effects of their setback more and more each episode. Which is a good plot development as it shows the Sailors making progress against them and them suffering the consequences of their failure to get enough energy. Especially with the Cardigan this episode not listening to their orders. Which makes a nice change from the monster of the week obeying their wielder.
Also liked how their battles in the morning affected Usagi, Ami and Makoto being late for school. Ami never having being late is totally her in every way. Also love the name of her cram school, absolutely pass cram school. They certainly are a humble lot that place aren't they 😏.
Oh Minako and the way she is with cats at times, won't be the last time she's willing to zip them up or put them somewhere where you wouldn't think to if you love cats. Though at least she let them watch the film from her bag. Luna's back to being her usual self, guess the sling romantic ting was nothing but a Usagi influenced moment. Also i'm not sure if that is actually Allen in the film with the blonde hair or if its just Minako thinking of him because he looks so similar to him and also because its clearly a romance film the trio went to see. But since they never made it clear what Allen did for a living, i like to think it could be him.
Yeah as mentioned before, the original Sailor Moon anime was very inconsistent when it came to its animation quality due to even for the time its rather low budget, especially in the first two seasons.
Which meant they never really had a coherent art style across its run (though by Super and Stars its gotten better) and different animators outside of a few like Ikuko Itoh, Masahiro Ando and others who worked on every season. All of whom had their own styles that showed on each episode they did, especially Ando who did the episode you mentioned where yo had issues with. Since his really stick out for how he draws the characters in general like their eyes being triangular, their bodies being more childlike and so on. Though for me at least he often makes up with his talent for facial reactions, comedy bits and just how he often captures character intros like Venus's first appearance on the show. He managed to eventually take his style and apply it excellently to the film Sword of the Stranger, which has some of the best animation i have seen with the fight scenes especially being top class work as you can see below.
This link shows the names of who did which episode of Sailor Moon, which lets you see how the art and animation evolved as each season and episode went on.
SM animator names and picture link
Back to the episode at hand.
Overall its another good episode with the plot now nearing its endgame with the way the final shot of the tree clearly indicates it is feeling the energy Ali and An have been feeding it across the tree arc.
Thanks again @Usili 2.0 for your hard work as always
DeadlyViperQuill
As you say, the setup of this one is very rota, basically the main character and their rival are stuck in detention and they end up chatting to each other during it while the teacher thats meant to oversee them either is so apathetic they ignore them or don't supervise them for whatever reason.
Its certainly interesting in how this episode handles Usagi and An alone with each other and how their thoughts and words match up in places like at the end.
I liked the sequence at the start with the sailors fighting a Cardigan, showing the provocativeness the sailors are taking and as a whole how Ali and An are feeling the effects of their setback more and more each episode. Which is a good plot development as it shows the Sailors making progress against them and them suffering the consequences of their failure to get enough energy. Especially with the Cardigan this episode not listening to their orders. Which makes a nice change from the monster of the week obeying their wielder.
Also liked how their battles in the morning affected Usagi, Ami and Makoto being late for school. Ami never having being late is totally her in every way. Also love the name of her cram school, absolutely pass cram school. They certainly are a humble lot that place aren't they 😏.
Oh Minako and the way she is with cats at times, won't be the last time she's willing to zip them up or put them somewhere where you wouldn't think to if you love cats. Though at least she let them watch the film from her bag. Luna's back to being her usual self, guess the sling romantic ting was nothing but a Usagi influenced moment. Also i'm not sure if that is actually Allen in the film with the blonde hair or if its just Minako thinking of him because he looks so similar to him and also because its clearly a romance film the trio went to see. But since they never made it clear what Allen did for a living, i like to think it could be him.
Yeah as mentioned before, the original Sailor Moon anime was very inconsistent when it came to its animation quality due to even for the time its rather low budget, especially in the first two seasons.
Which meant they never really had a coherent art style across its run (though by Super and Stars its gotten better) and different animators outside of a few like Ikuko Itoh, Masahiro Ando and others who worked on every season. All of whom had their own styles that showed on each episode they did, especially Ando who did the episode you mentioned where yo had issues with. Since his really stick out for how he draws the characters in general like their eyes being triangular, their bodies being more childlike and so on. Though for me at least he often makes up with his talent for facial reactions, comedy bits and just how he often captures character intros like Venus's first appearance on the show. He managed to eventually take his style and apply it excellently to the film Sword of the Stranger, which has some of the best animation i have seen with the fight scenes especially being top class work as you can see below.
This link shows the names of who did which episode of Sailor Moon, which lets you see how the art and animation evolved as each season and episode went on.
SM animator names and picture link
Back to the episode at hand.
Apart from a cameo in the next episode, this is the last appearance of Usagi's teacher, Haruna Sakurada. Who compared to the manga and other Sailor Moon works (she's actually the only civilian character to appear in all versions of SM including the musicals) certainly got a lot more screentime in the 90's series. Often as being the other source of energy source for the villains when Naru wasn't it, or to play off Usagi antic's in the classroom or romantic follies as we have seen when she fought with her and Rei for the bouquet in the wedding episode. I'm pretty sure there were other characters before that like her, were women child teachers that would always go on about lamenting they weren't married and needed to get hitched before they turn 30. Which still has some basis in Japan with it being referred to as Christmas Cake, which mean if women weren't married by 30, they would and still are by older generations. Of not being desirable as partners for often male heirs of mid class/upper class backgrounds who come from well known families or businesses. This has i believe declined with more women in japan now in work and still working even after they have married and had kids. But knowing this context adds to why Haruna's character is so passionate on grabbing a husband.
But Haruna as far as i can remember, codied for many this trope of the teacher who was or even more immature than their students were and eccentric. The one who helped to popularized it and still have it as a archetype in many anime's, manga's and Visual Novels to this day. I don't think this was something her character had in the manga where i think she was just mostly used to show how bad Usagi was doing at school at the start and so on. Plus we have seen the anime change things up before with Rei's grandfather being different in the manga compared to his anime self that hits on the girls who come to his shrine. Which i will admit makes me understand Naoko Takeuchi's supposed quote on the anime, not sure if she said this or not as this usually comes up on the often rumored differences she had with Toei, especially when they adapted SuperStars and Stars and according to some, Ikuhara as well. That the anime was overall a work done by men.
Personally, i definitely feel Haruna is overall a character of 90's anime in many ways. But i liked how her voice actress played her in the subs (she also plays Shingo and an upcoming new character) and how her dynamic with Usagi went and i feel evolved a little bit as we saw in the Spring blossom episode. She at the very least seems to found someone which is more than what i have seen in other teacher characters in anime.
But Haruna as far as i can remember, codied for many this trope of the teacher who was or even more immature than their students were and eccentric. The one who helped to popularized it and still have it as a archetype in many anime's, manga's and Visual Novels to this day. I don't think this was something her character had in the manga where i think she was just mostly used to show how bad Usagi was doing at school at the start and so on. Plus we have seen the anime change things up before with Rei's grandfather being different in the manga compared to his anime self that hits on the girls who come to his shrine. Which i will admit makes me understand Naoko Takeuchi's supposed quote on the anime, not sure if she said this or not as this usually comes up on the often rumored differences she had with Toei, especially when they adapted SuperStars and Stars and according to some, Ikuhara as well. That the anime was overall a work done by men.
Personally, i definitely feel Haruna is overall a character of 90's anime in many ways. But i liked how her voice actress played her in the subs (she also plays Shingo and an upcoming new character) and how her dynamic with Usagi went and i feel evolved a little bit as we saw in the Spring blossom episode. She at the very least seems to found someone which is more than what i have seen in other teacher characters in anime.
Overall its another good episode with the plot now nearing its endgame with the way the final shot of the tree clearly indicates it is feeling the energy Ali and An have been feeding it across the tree arc.
Thanks again @Usili 2.0 for your hard work as always
DeadlyViperQuill
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- Location
- New Hampshire
I did like An and Usagi's interaction while in detention. And OUCH on the pencil up the nose! John Wick and Heath Ledger Joker are slowly nodding their approval at Usagi's counter-attack, there. And yeah, it's cool to see the Sailor Senshi's efforts having that effect on Ail and An, stopping their energy-gathering.
And yeah, it's cool to see the Sailor Senshi's efforts having that effect on Ail and An, stopping their energy-gathering.
- Location
- Ohio
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Yeah, there is just a bit of feeling bad for An here on what happened.I absolutely loved that bit.
Anyway, I actually did feel bad for An, here. She may have gotten in through nefarious means, but she tried her best with the role. It was a legit shame what happened with the Cardian.
Finally got round to putting my thoughts on this great episode.
Said it before and i will say it again, Sailor Moon is brilliant when it comes to slice of life stuff. On showing how its characters engage with what they are doing whether its visiting a ice rink, theme park, beach or as in this episode taking part in a production of snow white by Mamrou.
Right off the bat, Luna has definitely either reawakened long lost romantic notions she may or may not have during her life under Queen Serenity. Or Usagi has rubbed off on her with her teenage daydreams and ideas of love etc. But either way it's pretty hilarious to see her acting out like that since from her first appearance. She has pretty much outside of occurrences like with Rhett Butler, been all business in making Usagi the sailor moon she wants her to be, in finding the moon princess and finding herself having to deal with the lumbering and conflicting emotions and actions of the teenage girls she has around her.
Oh and nicely providing a brilliant screen wipe via her mouth. Wished they had done that sooner or done it with the sailors. I can imagine the different ways they can do the sailors one.
Which this episode provides us with abundance with how they all argue on who gets to play the main role. With each of them providing their own arguments from Rei having the idea in the first place, to Usagi preaching the cute factor. Minako and her peppiness, Makoto and her "talents" (good on the dub for that reach around and for keeping the bong sound) and Ami getting the best one with her excuse of having to study so she should play it due to her having the least lines. Once again Ami gets the biggest laugh from me, she's on a real roll at the moment with the great lines or reactions she gets.
Love the camera shot of them arguing as if they are on a merry go round. Heck the whole episode was brilliant on the animation front, excellent facial reactions throughout
This is i think the first episode i can think of where the focus is on An instead of Ali as we have seen in previous episodes. With the girls pretty much reaching her limit with her after previous interactions with her having been An as Natsumi being in some ways kind of how Rei could be with Usagi and her teammates at times in season one. Something Rei picks up acutely here along with the rest where despite knowing she cheated in the straw draw. Decide to give her the role to try and help her. Which i thought was interesting and nice way of showing the empathy, the fact all four of them know loneliness and being oscastated from others before they met Usagi and each other. Adds a good layer to the episode.
And An, i have to say i felt for her here, even though she's trying to take Mamoru's energy and because she has a crush on him, she clearly is enamoured with the romantic spirit of the Snow White tale, of finding your one true love. The pray she does at the shrine for it all to go well really shows how much it means to her and the girls being even more determined to make it work despite their misgiving about her makes it even more potent.
Again very much like how the teenage side of the sailors comes out strongly here, so it does for her and the way she breaks down at the end made me feel for her. Especially as Ali ended up screwing the whole show by sending the clown Cardigan because he didn't get to play the prince.
Alsi gets a great teenage feel by his desire to play the prince and fantasising on kissing Usagi. The two are truly teenagers through and through.
Of course, Usagi brings up a interesting point before she lets her jealousy of An playing the role and potentially kissing Mamoru. Of how is this really the best way to help An considering how abrasive she is to everyone etc. that friends should call each other one when they are treating others badly.
Have to say despite the appearance not seeming intimidating at first glance. Bipierrot was another intimidating Cardigan with how they acted here, the camera shots capturing their threat very well with the white eyes making them creepy in that IT way i love in clown villains.
Honestly Uminio, you really thought the girls would be happy wearing those outfits despite them meaning to be dwarves 🤨? No wonder Rei and Makoto got mad at him for it.
Usagi's witch outfit always makes me smile. It suits her very much,
Still he made up for that by causing the hilarious whack a mole struggle between them all.
Loved the Sailor entrances and their words. Ami again gets the best one by somehow being serious of getting her studying guide time back, girl really does love her studying thats for sure.
I just noticed something, Artemus has been missing for two episodes now. Wonder where that tomcat is during this episode?
Another enjoyable episode with so many great bits.
Keep up the fine work as always @Usili 2.0
DeadlyViperQuill
I do v. much agree in that a strong highlight of Sailor Moon is it's slice of life episodes, since the show I feel does shine with them.
And yes, this episode I think was the first one that did show to highlight An instead of Ail, and yeah, that is an interesting way of showing empathy, and something I hadn't necessarily thought of before you mentioned it. In general, An was just rather interesting for this episode in terms of the execution and so forth.
This episode was just a rather fun bit all-told.
Right, this episode I honestly did find interesting because the setup of it seems very by the books, but how it is executed is something that is just entirely separate from how you'd expect it.
And I see with Minako. My view it's more-so in that probably it's how Minako thought he seemed similar to Allen, but not him, no (sort of for instance in how say for instance one might see someone similar in how they appear, but no, it's not them).
And mhm, the bit about the art is interesting, and probably something I'll look at again later as I move further into Sailor Moon.
And no problem! I honestly do enjoy in watching through Sailor Moon (albeit some of the episodes can get annoying/weird).
- Location
- supernatural
Thoughts about the Lita talent scene that everyone talked about?
Quite an interesting scene. There is no boing sound like some people say there was, or at least I don't remember that actually happening.
- Location
- Ohio
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Put bluntly, I'm honestly surprised that bit was actually included in the Dic dub.